Irish Themed Bridal Shower

Last week I worked on a 60 piece bridal shower...30 favors and 30 flowers with an Irish theme.  So I set out in search of 4 leaf clover scrapbook paper...with NO luck!  So, what's a girl to do?  I printed my OWN paper!  I love that option, I didn't even have to leave the office.  I wanted something very simple, not too busy and more white than green.  I found the perfect kit at Nit Wit Collections.  I hold their commercial license so if you are looking for something special, you can check out the site, find your favorites and give me a call.  I probably have the kit and if I don't I will purchase it!  I love their stuff, MaryFran is an amazing artist.

So, I wanted to put a little twist on the bridal dresses...you know me, I can never just cut the darn box and be done with it.  Funny, I actually took a picture of a simple design so you could see exactly how I jazzed it up...you'll laugh at it's simplicity. As for my design...it's one of those...'why didn't I think of that' type boxes!  

The one in the middle is the simple favor box pattern.  I used one sided printed paper, very simple with tag attached.  The 4 leaf clover dress on the right, is the paper I printed.  I added a solid light green paper to the bodice area.  The first one your left, is just a plain white dress with a separate white overlay that is dry embossed and glued to the skirt area. (I turned the printed paper over to the non-printed, plain white side to make the skirt)  The bodice of the printed piece was also used as the ruffle...printed side facing toward the front.  Hope you got all that!  I confuse myself sometimes!

I really, really love the green plaid dress.  I used very inexpensive paper, and added the white embossed overlay to the front.  I jazzed it up with a little bling, added a simple tag with a pop-dot, and a ribbon to the midsection.  I can see so many possibilities with this pattern.  How about red and white checks, or a cherry print?  Maybe add an apron...great 50's party or BBQ favor!  Love, Love, Love that!

Those of you who know this pattern know it had a silly latch in the treat area.  I hated that piece, so I cut it off and tucked in the tabs to make the box a little sturdier.  I added two mini cupcake liners to the inside just so the treat won't slide all around. (they do make rectangular liners that might work as well)

So here's a close up....I just add a little bling to the flower centers.  Really pretty!  I made 59 of these and  1 single favor for the bride with a little bridal tulle attached to the back, as a veil.

Next, I made 6 Pretty Poke single stem bouquets adding a clear lolli to the center (it had a clear, pastel heart candy in center of the sucker) really pretty.  I used the 4 leaf clover paper as a flower, and a white flower layer with a couple cupcake liners to each stem.  I have to say, I get so many questions as to how these flower are assembled.  I wish I could tell you...but it's my own design.  A girl has to keep some secrets to herself.  I will say, it's not in the materials used, or even the layering process.  I use a tool to get it all to work as one.  BELIEVE me ...it took me a long time to come up with this piece.  Maybe Martha Stewart will have me on her show, THEN I can teach you all the How To's! Thanks for understanding.  

   

Ok just a few more pictures of all of the pieces as one party.  I like to set up my orders in my formal living room before I deliver them. 

Lastly, a preview of my next blog entry

Stay tuned.....

Thanks for stopping by!  

~Margie

 

Cupcake Boxes

I have so many inquires on cupcake boxes, both size and pricing. I can make just about any size cupcake box, but I chose three to share today. You can see the difference in size between them, one actually fits inside the other...minus the cupcakes of course! Hee hee!!

Three different size cupcake boxes.  Yellow is a mini cupcake box.

Medium Size Box w/mini cupcake holder and Lid

Lids~

I can make all sorts of lids, as well.  Hinged, scalloped, plain, windowed...of course the shape of the window can be different as well...circles, squares, hearts, even a fancy square or top note shape. Something different... add a cupcake poke to the cupcake right through the window into the cupcake.  I love that idea and yes, I can personalize the cupcake poke. So many ways to dress up a favor box. 

Medium Size Cupcake Box with Scalloped Lid and flower

Cupcakes come in many shapes/sizes as do the favor boxes.  Right now I only have boxes for Mini and Regular Sizes, but if you are looking for something special or unusual, just let me know and I will design something for you.  

Favor Box Flowers...as you can see I have added a flower to the Favor Box.  They really add so much to the packaging.  

Next week I have an event for 2,000 guests...so I probably won't blog till Tuesday or so....until then... 

Have an EVENTful week!

~Margie   

      

It's in the Bag

Cute little purses are all the rage for baby showers, birthday party favors or gift giving....even to fill up at a candy tablescape...how cute would that be?  In the future I am going to continue to add to this section and give several ideas on Purse Favors, but I am starting with a stinkin' cute favor for baby showers or toddle parties. 

My 1st Birthday Party (my first purse) Favor

These favor bags are the largest I can design using just ONE 12x12 sheet of cardstock.  How do I get two prints?  Double sided cardstock and I like to chose two coordinating patterns.  I think this monkey print cardstock was from Bella Blvd.     This pattern is an SVG from My Scrap Chick...one of my favs.  The pattern can be enlarged but I would have to charge more per piece and I don't like to do that. My goal is to get an entire pattern from one sheet of cardstock. The good news...Order a dozen and get ONE FREE and this will bring down your cost a little more. 

   

 

Fun Favors and Packaging

During the last couple weeks I have had some back problems and haven't blogged as much as I would have liked so I am playing catch up this week. So lets' get back to blogging....  

My favorite things to create are favor boxes.  Some are very detailed while others are simple...sometimes, I believe "simple" is better.  Using a color as a theme can be just what you need to create the perfect favor. Last month, I was asked to design something for a well known company; as an event planner I don't like to reveal my client until I ask permission and this is just a proposal, so I will have to keep you guessing.  The theme is a "thank you" box and it is to be filled with some "cute edibles".  I made three different sizes and actually, kept it very, very simple.  The gift inside will be the most important, so I didn't want to take away from that.  The window and the tag needed to be the "key factor".  It was important to be able to "peak" in on the goodies. And the tag, well, it's a "play on words"...hopefully they will get it!!  hahaha.

Another idea I did think of but didn't create was a "pie box & a french fry box"...maybe I should add that to the mix.  Meeting isn't for a couple more weeks so maybe I will come up with a few more ideas. So remember sometimes, simple is better.  Wish me luck!     

 

More Favors...

I periodically design boxes for a friend who owns Indigo Rain Eventworks here near Chicago.  She sets up Candy Tablescapes and I create candy boxes for her. Each week she gives me several suggestions for favor boxes and I create them.  It's really been fun, and it gives me a chance to step "out of the box" and put together something different each week. Thanks Julie!!

Last week I made a cute pillow box with a zoo theme.  A couple of wedding cake slices.  A simple square with a fancy flower, and a Purse Favor Box. Like I said, it's really been fun just being creative and building something new and different.  

Fancy Favors

I made a few Favor Boxes last week I thought I would share.  I loved the way they came out.  A friend of mine owns a Candy Company that specializes in Candy Tablescapes for weddings and showers. (Her webpage is being redesigned so I will add a link when it is complete.) Anyway, she  uses my favors boxes to put her candy in...what a GREAT connection, hey?  She has been doing a lot of sales calls which is giving me a chance to really put my creative juices in gear and design some new things.  

I went a little crazy with these apple boxes.  The idea here was for a hospital, "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away."  I also made a few for a fall craft show...great for teachers gifts!

Don't you just love these adorable doctor bags?  I added a little tag that said, Doctor and Nurse Bag with a medical insignia on it. 

This wonderful little chair box serves more than one purpose.  I have since made one chair for each guest and write each name on the seating card along with the table number. Fill the box with a sweet or savory before dinner treat. Now for the back of the box...my favorite part!  Add a matching bow...cute, cute, cute!

So this next set of boxes are BRIDE and GROOM FAVORS.  Actually, these can be used for rehearsal dinners or even prom.  It's hard to see, but there is a silk bow tie on the tux box.  Again colors on box or ribbons can match the bridal party colors.  Very pretty! 

I have to say...this is really one of the prettiest boxes!!  I love the dry embossing paper I used on this box as well as the cute polka dot paper by Bo Bunny for the butterfly.  You'll notice I use a lot of this paper in all colors.  It really just jumps out at you!!  Watch for more embossed pieces coming soon. 

This is a BEAUTIFUL box.  I love how the bow actually looks like a part of the brides dress.  I think I would use wired ribbon next time so I could puff the dress more.  The box is big enough for many things.  The bow can be matched to the wedding colors and I would make a 3D flower for the bouquet as well.  I use Bazzil Dotted Swiss cardstock.  

I have another post this week, but I am going to hold off another couple days so I can complete something special....so I will post again MID Week!    Something fun and new in the SPOTLIGHT this next week.  

Thanks for stopping by friends!

Margie